The penultimate beer from the Variety Box – Beer Camp Across America. There is but one lonely can remaining. For this beer Sierra Nevada brewed with the infamous Russian River to produce Yvan the Great. Named in honor of Yvan de Baets the famed Belgian brewer this is a hoppified version of a Belgian Blonde. Something that Russian River does very, very well.
This is a blonde for sure! This pours an extremely light and extremely clear yellow. I can see very clearly through it. I was expecting more hops in the aroma but I am not picking them up. This drinks Belgian all the way. Lots of spice. Clove in the forefront. I’m getting a ton of vanilla as well. Ice cream vanilla to be more exact. No head or lace at all here and not much in the way of bubbles either though it is crisp on the palate. Towards the back there is a subtle note of orange but you have to reach for it.
I like it but I don’t know if this is what was envisioned if the label copy is to be truly believed.
